DC Etsy Craft Party: 18 June!

On Friday 18 June at 6pm, join the DC Craft Mafia, the Capital Region Etsy Street Team and fellow local crafters for the DC Etsy Craft Party!


This is a really fun way to meet fellow crafters, show off your creativity and/or learn a new craft! We will have local crafters doing demos, and other fun activites going on... Join the fun, RSVP and get the details here!

About the Etsy Parties
Let's celebrate! Today, along with ReadyMade and Meetups Everywhere (and you), we're launching Etsy Craft Party, a global initiative to energize your local community, make art together, and throw a party in your neck of the woods. We want to celebrate crafting together on June 18, 2010 (which just happens to be Etsy's birthday) with as many celebrations across the globe as possible.

Looking for an Etsy Party near you? Click here for the full list of Etsy Parties everywhere! Still can't find one close by? Start one of your own!

Besitos,
Vanessa

Meet Your Maker: Call for Profiles!

The Mafia is looking to feature talented local crafter for our blog! Live in the DC/MD/VA area and want want some street cred? Send an e-mail to dccraftmafia@gmail.com with:

• Your name and business name (don't have one? No worries! We still want to hear from you!)
• A bio (short description of yourself and what you make)
• 2 pics of your work and a link to your site/blog/shop
• And tell us why you love to craft, and what your art means to you.

We look forward to hearing from you and sharing all the crafty talent that DC has to offer!

Besitos,
Vanessa

Annapolis First Sunday Arts Festival

Swing by Annapolis, Maryland for the 2010 First Sunday Arts Festival on June 6!


For five hours – from noon until five — a portion of historic West Street above State Circle is closed to cars and transforms into a fun festival of live music, dance, art and crafts. The Festival, which continues around the corner into Whitmore Park, is free and a family affair for all ages. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon outdoors surrounded by talented performers, musicians, and over 90 booths of arts and crafts. Plus several of the West Street restaurants become outdoor cafes with perfect seating to watch the fun and people go by!

New this season to every First Sunday in Whitmore Park: Swing Dances!
• Swing Dancing, hosted by GottaSwing, will be featured at each First Sunday this year.
• Free Swing Dance lessons given from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
• Swing Dancing from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. accompanied by the New Legacy Jazz Band, followed by DJ-music that will keep the party going until 5:00 p.m.

Performing on West Street during the Festival …
• Sparks, Raymond and McCoy – have appeared throughout the region and perform an acoustic mix of folk and rock music — from 12-noon – 1:30 p.m. in Wiseman Park.
• Annapolis Arts Alliance Member Exhibit –showcasing the rich artistic life of Greater Annapolis – from noon until 5:00 p.m. in Stan & Joe’s side lot.
• Unified Jazz Ensemble – A local favorite, the UJE, as they go by, bring a creative trio of the area’s finest jazz musicians together — from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in Wiseman Park.

Can't make it on the 6th? There will be four more opportunities to enjoy First Sunday’s activities in 2010: July 4, August 1, September 5, and October 3.

For vendor information, call: 410-741-3267 or click here!

Besitos,
Vanessa

Fenton Street Market Saturdays!

The Fenton Street Market has a fresh roster of exhibitors for you this Saturday at the Fenton Street Market [Fenton St. & Silver Spring Avenue]. Stop by between 9 and 3 to see what's new! Highlights include:

•Spa time! Check out our new vendors with handmade soaps, bath salts, and more.

•Community Forklift onsite with architectural salvage.


•Share your vision for the future of Silver Spring: local architects standing by for your inspiration in the Village Square.

•Everybody's favorite teenage singer-songwriter, Cody Tracey, takes the soundstage with two live sets! Catch him before he's off to camp for the summer.


•The trains are rollin', courtesy of the Riverdale Model Train Club.

•Hot mini donuts and fresh crepes, of course!


Did you see the fantastic article on the Fenton Street Market and the neighborhood in today's Washington Post Weekend section?


They're online at www.fentonstreetmarket.com. See you tomorrow!

Fenton Street Market
www.fentonstreetmarket.com
Twitter: @FentonStMarket

Besitos,
Vanessa

You've Been Made: Laughing Moon Artworks

Give a suave mafia welcome to Annie Lunsford of Laughing Moon Artworks, our newest addition to the DC Craft Mafia roster!


[Annie Lunsford]

Annie Lunsford has been a Free-lance Illustrator for many crazy years, specializing in colorful, whimsical styles, acrylic painting and digital.



[www.LaughingMoonArtworks.com]

Seven years ago, she started applying her art to various craft items. Her studio is in Arlington, Virginia.



[Hand-drawn art on t-shirts]


[Hand-decorated tile coaster]


[Nail Biter, hand-sculpted and painted]


[Two Moons Over Zondor acrylic painting]

Interested in becoming a Made Man? (Or Woman!) Contact us: dccraftmafia@gmail.com

Besitos,
Vanessa

Things We Love: Dachshunds!

When I adopted Cocoa last year, I was instantly smitten (well, almost; paper-training isn't fun, and getting her just now to stay still long enough to snap this photo wasn't fun, either, lol).


Now, I always find myself saying a long "awwwwww! How cuuuuuuute!" whenever I find great little doxie-themed gifts like these:


[Little Dachshund Ring by MooshyGooshies]


[Keep Calm and Love Doxies Poster by The Lobster Pot]


[El Perro Caliente The Hot Dog by ChetArt] I really laughed out loud at this one; edging awesome.

Got a furry loved one? Search Etsy for a little something to show some love!

Besitos,
Vanessa

Ballston A&C Market This Saturday!

Hey everyone! We just wanted to remind you that the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market's Opening Day is THIS Saturday!

Returning to Welburn Square on May 8, from 10:00am to 4:00pm, the market welcomes returning favorites and new artists alike. Experience local art at its best with handcrafted silver jewelry by bLuGrn design, demented decoupage by BoxBoy, upscale photography by Steven L. Miller Words & Images, cheeky plushes by Grumpy Haters, designer tees by Sharp Shirter and so much more.

Plus, we will also have an extra-special guest visiting the market this month. Arlington’s own, Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, will be on hand with information and an artist raffle to benefit their charitable organization.

Opening Day will also feature:

• Live music Lynn Veronneau Trio (noon – 2:00)
• FREE water bottles courtesy of ARLNow.com
• FREE goodie bags full of healthy eats and coupons courtesy of Curves of Cherrydale (for the first 50 guests)
• FREE demos by select artists

Conveniently located between North Stuart and North 9th Streets, across from the Ballston Metro, the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market is Arlington’s only 100% handmade market. Take the kids, the family and your out-of-town guests to the Square. And, grab some lunch while you’re there!

The 2010 Market dates are: May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11 & October 9. Buy local. The artists will personally thank you. See you there!

Cocktail Party & Fundraiser!

THURSDAY MAY 20th 7pm-10pm


The Soundry is thrilled to announce the Second Annual Cocktail Party & Fundraiser to benefit The Starving Artist Theatre’s upcoming “Future Artist”–a unique children’s playwriting and directing camp.

Come enjoy signature cocktails along with great food from M&S Grill and yummy desserts courtesy of Topless Bakery.

With bellies full and warm you will be entertained with theatre antics, live music and a silent auction featuring original art, jewelry, food, gift certificates and more.

Tickets: $20 in advance ($25 at the door) and can be purchased online through Brown Paper Tickets or over the phone using Visa/MC/Discover by calling 703-698-0088.

Besitos,
Vanessa